Hey, XTimeGirlX here, hope you like the chapter and Happy Christmas! Or Happy Holidays as you Americans say! X =D

Disclaimer – Neither me or BananaBabe own Doctor Who or Torchwood.

And leapt at Gwen....

Alice let out a horrified scream, the terrified sound rebounding and echoing off the dark bare walls. But she didn't scream because of the Empress Vora and her evil, glinting eyes. She screamed because of Gwen and the bright golden light now pouring from her eyes.

Rose grabbed Alice's arm and dragged her back a little way, shooting her a look that clearly said 'shut up'. Meanwhile, Rose's mind was racing – the small amount of vortex that Gwen had absorbed was threatening to take over her brain and Rose knew that would result in one thing and one thing only – death. The power of the vortex would burn Gwen to a crisp. The prickly signs of panic began to rise in her chest as she stared at a possessed Gwen, still clutching Alice's arm tightly.

The Voradon Empress was stood, frozen in front of Gwen – all thoughts of stealing her body gone. Instead she was staring at the floor, her mouth slightly agape.

Because on the floor were the broken remains of The Doctor's sonic screwdriver. But now, they were shrouded in the same shining light that emanated from Gwen...before Alice, Rose and the Empress Vora's astonished eyes, the pieces began to drift back together, silently reattaching themselves until the screwdriver looked good as new.

Rose gasped, glancing at Gwen to see she had now moved her blinding gaze to the Empress Vora, holding her with a mere look. Rose cautiously bent down and retrieved the now fixed sonic screwdriver before stepping back next to Alice and grasping it firmly in her hand.

'You are a valiant leader, Vora – those you lead look up to you.' Gwen said in an uncharacteristically deep and mystical voice. The Voradon Empress was still gawping at Gwen, but now took a small frightened step backwards.

'But you will die in battle, and so then will your people. The girls have come. You will meet your demise.' Gwen declared, her whole body beginning to quake and tremble from the overwhelming power surging through her mind.

'Gwen!' Alice gasped, stepping forward and putting a hand on her lower arm.

At the human contact, Gwen spun around to face her and Rose was momentarily worried about Gwen turning her back to Vora. But the Empress was still frozen where she stood, some mix of fear and hatred swirling in her dark eyes at Gwen's haunting prediction. Rose quickly moved her attention back to Gwen, and took a sharp intake of cold air.

The golden light of the vortex was now streaming from Gwen's eyes...and into Alice's.

One silent second later and Gwen staggered backwards, her eyes back to their usual dark chocolate colour – all traces of the vortex gone.

Alice's eyes, on the other hand were glowing a blinding gold as she turned to Rose. She blinked, and the shining light was pushed back so you could see her blue eyes, but the vortex was also visible – just dancing behind her pupils. But Rose knew that it wouldn't be long before the vortex fought its way to the forefront of her brain and overtook her just as it had for Gwen.

*

Suddenly, Vora seemed to regain her sense and started stalking forwards again, her eyes clamped on Gwen. 'I will not die, you lying insect of a human.' She snarled.

Thinking quickly, Rose changed the setting on the sonic screwdriver. 'Cover your ears.' She ordered quietly as Gwen and Alice gladly obliged. A high pitched noise emitted across the room and the Voradon Empress' eyes grew impossibly wide and she fell backwards, a crumpled heap on the floor.

Rose shoved the screwdriver back in her pocket. 'We need to find The Doctor and Jack; she won't be unconscious for long. It's just a setting I remembered The Doctor using.' She told them, looking around furtively.

'Rose!' The cry came from below where they were standing.

'Let's go.' Rose muttered, charging off to the other side of the room and searching frantically for some stairs that went downwards. Anything to reach The Doctor who had so desperately called out for her.

Another slight cliffhanger there – sorry about that! Please review, to be honest, I don't think this is a really bad story and the amount of reviews is simply dismal. Please just tell us what you think, we can take constructive criticism! X =D